The programs in the Department of Natural Sciences prepare students to excel in the biological, chemical, physical and mathematical sciences. The academic programs incorporate innovative and interdisciplinary courses that enhance the traditional scientific curriculum. A broad exposure to non-science, liberal arts classes enhances MMC’s pedagogical mission, creating a critical combination of experiences essential for applying life science skills to future careers.
Review the course requirements for each of the majors and minors in this department below, or check out the current course catalog for more detail.
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Biology - Bachelor of Science Degree
B.S in Biology
General Education Requirements: 42 Credits
Major Requirements: 60-63 Credits
Elective: 15-18 CreditsRequired Courses: Credits: BIOL 220 General Biology I (w/laboratory) 4 BIOL 222 General Biology II (w/laboratory) 4 BIOL 240 Cellular and Molecular Biology (w/laboratory) 4 BIOL 251 Laboratory Research Methods (w/laboratory) 2 CHEM 233/234 General Chemistry I (w/laboratory) 4 CHEM 235/236 General Chemistry II (w/laboratory) 4 MATH 210 Calculus I 3 PHYS 261 General Physics I (w/laboratory) 4 PHYS 262 General Physics II (w/laboratory) 4 CHEM 317/318 Organic Chemistry I (w/laboratory) 5 CHEM 319/320 Organic Chemistry II (w/laboratory) 5 BIOL 320 Microbiology (w/laboratory) 4 BIOL 329 Physiology (w/laboratory) 4 BIOL 425 Genetics 4 BIOL/CHEM 441 Biochemistry 4 BIOL 490 Senior Seminar 1 Prerequisites for Biology Majors: MATH 141 Precalculus 3 Total Credits 60-63 -
Biology - Bachelor of Arts Degree
B.A. in Biology
General Education Requirements: 42 Credits
Major Requirements: 49-54 Credits
Elective: 22-29 CreditsRequired Courses: (46 or 47) BIOL 220 General Biology I (w/laboratory) 4 BIOL 222 General Biology II (w/laboratory) 4 BIOL 240 Cellular and Molecular Biology (w/laboratory)4 BIOL 234 Human Physiology (w/laboratory) orBIOL 329 Physiology (w/laboratory)4 BIOL 251 Laboratory Research Methods (w/laboratory) 2 CHEM 233/234 General Chemistry I (w/laboratory) 4 CHEM 235/236 General Chemistry II (w/laboratory) 4 MATH 224 Statistics 3 PHYS 201 Introduction to Physics (w/laboratory) orPHYS 261 General Physics I (w/laboratory)4 BIOL 320 Microbiology (w/laboratory) 4 BIOL/CHEM 340 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry orCHEM 317/318 Organic Chemistry I (w/laboratory)4 or 5 BIOL 425 Genetics 4 BIOL 490 Senior Seminar1 Select one of the following:(3 or 4) BIOL 127 Evolution 3 BIOL 136 Anatomy 4 CHEM 105 Chemistry and the Environment 3 ENV 115 Environmental Science 3 Prerequisites for Biology Majors: (3) MATH 141 Precalculus 3 Total Credits 49-54 -
Behavioral Neuroscience
B.S. in Behavioral Neuroscience
General Education Requirements: 42 Credits
Major Requirements: 45 Credits
Elective: 33 CreditsRequired courses (39 credits) PSYCH 102 General Psychology II 3 CHEM 103 Principles of Chemistry 3 BIOL 220 General Biology I 4 BIOL 222 General Biology II 4 BIOL 240 Cell and molecular Biology 4 PSYCH 241 Perception 3 BIOL/NEU 335 Developmental Neurobiology 3 PSYCH 333 Behavioral Neurosciences 3 MATH 224 or PSYCH 229 Statistics 3 CHEM/PSYCH 348 Drugs and the Brain 3 NEU 497 Research (Capstone)* 6 Electives (select 2 of the following) (6 credits) Animal Behavior (PSYCH 379) 3 Acoustic Sensations (AIP 319) 3 Genetics (BIOL 425) 3 Psycholinguistics (SPCH316) 3 Physiology (BIOL 234) 3 Cognitive Psychology (PSYCH 359) 3 Abnormal Psychology (PSYCH 363) 3 Total Credits: 45 *Please note all Capstone (Research/Internship)(497) must be pre-approved by the Major Coordinator or Division Chair.
Click below for an in depth look at Behavioral Neuroscience requirements, prerequisites, and semesters that courses are offered.
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Environmental Studies
B.A. in Environmental Studies
General Education Requirements: 42 Credits
Major Requirements: 42 Credits
Elective: 36 CreditsRequired Courses:
(30 Credits)
ENV 115 Environmental Science
3
CHEM/ENV 105 Chemistry and the Environment
3
MATH 141 Precalculus
3
ECO/IS 214 The Global Economy
3
MATH 224 Statistics
3
PHIL 306 Environmental Ethics
3
ENV 314 Controversies in Environmental Science
3
PS 335 Green Political Thought
3
ENV/PHR 218 Environmental Justice
3
ENV 497 Research (Capstone)
3
Select 3 or 4 courses from the following (must be at least 12 credits):
(12 credits) BIOL 127 Evolution
3
ENV 170 General Geology
3
IS 207 World Geography
3
BIOL 222 General Biology II
4
PHYS 261 General Physics I
5
ENV 310 Applied Environmental Science
3
ENV 312 Energy and Climate Change
3
ENV 316 Natural Disasters and the Environment
3
ENV/PHR 320 EcoCulture and Sustainability
3
BIOL 330 Conservation Biology
3
BIOL 392 Ecology
3
IS 398 Global Sustainability
3
PHIL 409 History and Philosophy of Science
3
Total Credits:
42
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Public Health - Bachelor of Science Degree
B.S. in Public Health
General Education Requirements: 42 Credits
Major Requirements: 45 Credits
Elective: 33 CreditsRequired Courses: (27 credits) PBH110 Introduction to Public Health 3 PBH 210 Introduction to Epidemiology 3 PBH 215 Introduction to Global Health 3 PBH 310 Biological Basis of Public Health 3 COMM/PBH 315 Health Communication and Promotion 3 BIOL 116 Nutrition 3 MATH 224 or PSYCH 229 Statistics 3 BIOL 332 Bioethics 3 Research or Internship (400 level) 3 Electives (choose 6 of the following courses, 3 in each area) (18-19 credits) (Bio/Psych area) (choose 3 of the following) CHEM 233 General Chemistry I 4 BIOL/CHEM 340 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry 4 BIOL 234 Physiology 4 BIOL 317 Nutrition and Health 3 AIP 320 The HIV/AIDS Epidemic 3 BIOL 322 Epidemic: The Dynamics of Infectious Disease 3 AIP 325 Current Issues in Women’s Health 3 PSYCH 243 Health Psychology 3 AIP 333 Human Sexuality 3 Social Area (choose 3 of the following) Valuing Difference (SOC 204) 3 Women, Society and Culture (SOC 213) 3 Cultural and Social Change (SOC 361) 3 Race and Ethnicity (SOC 359) 3 Food Security (IS 320) 3 Total Credits: 45-46 -
Urban and Environmental Sustainability
B.A. in Urban and Environmental Sustainability
General Education Requirements: 42 Credits
Major Requirements: 60-63 Credits
Elective: 15-18 CreditsRequired Courses:
(24 credits)
ENV 115 Environmental Science
3
ENV 117 The Urban Ecosystem
3
MATH 224 Statistics
3
ENV/PHR 218 Environmental Justice
3
ENV/PHIL 306 Environmental Ethics
3
ENV/PHR 320 EcoCulture and Sustainability
3
ENV/IS 318 Global Sustainability
3
ENV 497 Research (Capstone)
3
Select four of the following courses:
(12 credits) BIOL 127 Evolution
3
CHEM/ENV 105 Chemistry and the Environment
3
ENV 170 General Geology
3
IS 207 World Geography
3
ENV 310 Applied Environmental Science
3
ENV 312 Energy and Climate Change
3
ENV 314 Controversies in Environmental Science
3
ENV 316 Natural Disasters and the Environment
3
BIOL 330 Conservation Biology
3
PS 355 Green Political Thought
3
BIOL 392 Ecology
3
EWL 320 Narrating Climate Change
3
Total Credits:
36
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Minor: Biology
Total Credits: 18-20
Required Courses
(12)
BIOL 220 General Biology
4
BIOL 222 General Biology II
4
CHEM 233/234 General Chemistry I (w/laboratory)
4
Select two of the following courses:
(6-8) BIOL 127 Evolution
3
BIOL 136 Anatomy
4
BIOL 234 Human Physiology
4
BIOL 320 Microbiology
4
BIOL 330 Conservation Biology
3
BIOL 332 Bioethics
3
BIOL 392 Ecology
3
CHEM 235/236 General Chemistry II (w/laboratory)
4
ENV 115 Environmental Science
3
Total Credits:
18-20
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Minor: Chemistry
Total Credits: 16-16.5
Required Courses (13) CHEM 233/234 General Chemistry I (plus lab) 4 CHEM 235/236 General Chemistry II (plus lab) 4 CHEM 317/318 Organic Chemistry I (plus lab) 5 Choose one of the following: (3-3.5) CHEM/ENV 105 Chemistry and the Environment 3 CHEM 120 Introduction to Forensic Science 3 CHEM 319 Organic Chemistry II 3.5 CHEM/PSYCH 348 Drugs and the Brain 3 CHEM 297/397/497 Research 3 Total Credits: 16-16.5 NOTE: Students majoring in Biology or Biomedical Sciences will need to take a minimum of 6 credits in Chemistry in addition to the CHEM courses required for their major. Research (CHEM 297/397/497) is encouraged to fulfill this requirement.
For more information on the Chemistry minor, contact Prof. Sampoli or Prof. Leri .
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Minor: Environmental Studies
Total Credits: 18
Required Course: (3 credits) ENV 115 Environmental Science 3 Select five courses from the following:
(15 credits) CHEM/ENV 105 Chemistry and the Environment 3 ENV 170 General Geology 3 ENV/PHR 218 Environmental Justice 3 IS 207 World Geography 3 ENV/PHIL 306 Environmental Ethics 3 ENV 310 Applied Environmental Science 3 ENV 312 Energy and Climate Change 3 ENV 314 Controversies in Environmental Science 3 ENV 316 Natural Disasters and the Environment 3 ENV/PHR 320 EcoCulture and Sustainability 3 BIOL 330 Conservation Biology 3 PS 355 Green Political Thought 3 PSYCH 361 Environmental Psychology 3 BIOL 392 Ecology 3 Total Credits: 18 Additional Advanced Interdisciplinary Perspectives courses may apply towards these requirements. For more information on the Environmental Studies minor, please contact Prof. Alessandra Leri .
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Minor: Neuroscience
Total Credits: 17
Required Courses: (14 credits) BIO 220 General Biology 1 4 BIO 234 Human Physiology 4 PSYCH 333 Behavioral Neuroscience ** 3 PSYCH/CHEM 348 Drugs and the Brain 3 Elective courses (Choose one of the following; NOTE-Research, internship and independent study courses must receive approval from the Neuroscience coordinator before registration to count towards the minor). (3 credits) PSYCH/BIO 397 or 497 Research 3 PSYCH/BIO 399 or 499 internship 3 PSYCH/BIO 399 or 499 Independent Study 3 PSYCH 241 Perception ** 3 PSYCH 359 Cognitive Psychology * 3 PSYCH 379 Animal Behavior * 3 Total Credits: 17 PLEASE NOTE:
If a course required for the Neuroscience minor is also required for the student’s major, the student must choose an alternative course outside their major. If this is the case, students should consult with the Neuroscience coordinator to ensure the appropriateness of the course substitution and then get approval from the Chair of the Science Division.
* Psych courses that have one asterisk beside them have a prerequisite requirement of Psych 101 or Psych 102.
** Psych courses with two asterisks beside them have a prerequisite requirement of Psych 102.
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Minor: Urban and Environmental Sustainability
Total Credits: 18
Required Courses:
(6 credits)
One 100-level ENV course
3
ENV/IS 318 Global Sustainability
3
Select four courses from the following:
(12 credits)
BIOL 127 Evolution
3
ENV 115 Environmental Science
3
CHEM/ENV 105 Chemistry and the Environment
3
ENV 117 The Urban Ecosystem
3
ENV/PHR 218 Environmental Justice
3
ENV/PHIL 306 Environmental Ethics
3
ENV/PHR 320 EcoCulture and Sustainability
3
PS 335 Green Political Thought
3
ENV 170 General Geology
3
ENV 310 Applied Environmental Science
3
ENV 312 Energy and Climate Change
3
ENV 314 Controversies in Environmental Science
3
ENV 316 Natural Disasters and the Environment
3
BIOL 330 Conservation Biology
3
BIOL 392 Ecology
3
EWL 320 Narrating Climate Change
3
Total Credits:
18